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Famous for high-altitude Alfalfa and White Sweet Clover varietals
Colorado Honey Directory
Your Complete Guide to Fresh, Local Honey
Colorado’s honey scene is defined by high-altitude floral sources. The state is a major producer of Alfalfa and Clover honey, known for their light color and mild profile. Beekeepers in the Rocky Mountains also harvest "Mountain Medley" honeys, where bees forage on gambel oak and wildflowers in a uniquely dry, crisp climate.
What Sets Colorado Apart
Colorado Honey Scene Highlights
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Arid climate produces exceptionally thick, low-moisture honey
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Short, intense summer nectar flows require rapid spring buildups
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Extensive urban beekeeping community concentrated along the Front Range
Local Varietals
Honey Types Found in Colorado
Colorado Bee & Honey Profile
State Flower
Rocky Mountain Columbine
Honey Color
Extra white to light amber
Peak Harvest
July, August, September
Primary Nectar Plants
AlfalfaWhite Sweet CloverYellow Sweet CloverRabbitbrushWild SunflowerDandelionRocky Mountain Bee Plant
Colorado Bloom Calendar
Interactive year-round nectar flow guide
Peak nectar flow: June, July, August
Bloom Calendar
Seasonal Nectar Flow
Click any month on the wheel to explore local forage details.
Minimal / Baseline
Moderate Flow
Peak Nectar Flow
Moderate Flow
May
Spring buildup peaks. Bees forage heavily on early wildflowers and crabapples to build strong populations for summer.
The Colorado Honey Story
Beekeeping in Colorado is a tale of extremes. From the arid eastern plains to the high-altitude Rocky Mountain valleys, beekeepers must manage intense, short nectar flows and long, brutally cold winters. The state is highly regarded for its premium White Sweet Clover and Alfalfa honeys, which thrive in the dry, sun-drenched climate. However, the short growing season means colonies must be incredibly strong by late June to capitalize on the brief summer blooms before the snows return.
Fun Fact
Because of Colorado’s arid climate and high altitude, honey produced here often has a lower moisture content than the national average, making it exceptionally thick and resistant to fermentation.
From the Blog
Honey Knowledge
Recipes & Culinary
Honey Syrup for Cocktails
A five-minute honey syrup that blends seamlessly into shaken and stirred drinks — all the floral depth of raw honey, none of the clumping.
By Art Marks
Recipes & Culinary
Bee's Knees Cocktail
The classic Prohibition-era gin sour, sweetened with honey syrup instead of sugar.
By Art Marks
Recipes & Culinary
Honey Hot Toddy
Whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water — the cold-weather classic.
By Art Marks
Colorado Honey Production
By the Numbers
#21
National Rank
by honey production
1.2M lbs
Annual Honey
USDA NASS 2023 Honey Report
31,000
Managed Colonies
USDA NASS 2023 Honey Report
Colony numbers reflect commercial operations tracked by standard USDA NASS data, though the state has a large, highly active population of urban and hobbyist beekeepers concentrated along the Front Range that are not captured in agricultural censuses.
Featured Apiaries in Colorado
Connect with these premier honey producers for the best local experience
Upcoming Honey Events in Colorado
Don't miss these exciting honey and beekeeping events in Colorado
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Beekeeping Regulations
Hive Registrationno
Backyard Beekeepingvaries by municipality
Colorado does not have a statewide mandatory apiary registration program. Backyard beekeeping rules—including whether hives are allowed, colony limits, and setback requirements (like mandatory 6-foot flyway barriers)—are governed strictly by local municipal and county zoning codes.
Associations & Resources
Colorado State Beekeepers Association
StatewideVisit WebsiteThe Colorado State Beekeepers Association (CSBA) acts as an umbrella organization, supporting over a dozen affiliated local and regional clubs across the state, such as the Northern Colorado Beekeepers and the Mile Hive Bee Club.
Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association
Visit WebsiteState Dept. of Agriculture
Apiary ProgramColorado Geography & Climate
Climate Zones
Semi-Arid SteppeAlpineUSDA Zones 3a-7a
Notable Beekeeping Regions
- •Front Range Urban Corridor
- •Eastern Plains
- •Rocky Mountain High Country
- •Western Slope
Elevation Range
3,315 feet (Arikaree River) to 14,440 feet (Mount Elbert)
Beekeepers must manage immense geographic contrasts: the high-altitude Rocky Mountains feature very short, intense late-summer wildflower flows, while the arid Eastern Plains rely heavily on irrigated agricultural blooms like alfalfa. Winters require heavy hive insulation.